I have wanted to compile a post on American history for --oh, let's calculate-- several minutes now. History books always leave stuff out --mainly events experienced randomly by individuals. Time for a photo:
Typical party conversation of the era:
"Oh wow. Must be lotta booze in the punchbowl."
"Eh? Why so?"
"Because I just had a couple cups and now the room's spinning round."
"It's a very old building, pre-code. Sometimes the rooms just spin around on their own."
"What can I do about it?"
"Sit down."
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(Will continue subject variously elsewhen)--Geo.
It is those short stories that open up the rest of book.
ReplyDeleteDear Susan, Good point indeed. My favorite opening sentence is the first line of Dicken's "Copperfield":
Delete"To begin my life with the beginning of my life, I record that I was born (as I have been informed and believe) on a Friday, at twelve o'clock at night. It was remarked that the clock began to strike, and I began to cry, simultaneously." Yours?
Many decades ago, when I was less sedate than now, I found myself in Mulege, in Baja. On an evening around midnight, a hotel, Hotel Hacienda. I see it's still operating, and now the pool is functional. Then, it was run by a father/son, dad in his late 60's, son in his 30's. Mulege then was a dusty town square, dirt streets, the prototype of a 40's movie with Humphrey Bogart. I was there on winter break from Cal, lasted over a month, and living in Baja was cheaper than in Berkeley, or Sonoma Co.
ReplyDeleteOn the night in question, my then best friend had sequestered himself on the roof of the hotel, and was, aided by tequila, howling at a non-existent moon.
We chatted about the vagaries of life as pertains to grad students, I convinced him to come down. My oldest, then 4th grade, wondered why Uncle Sam was being odd.
Does this have anything to do with your post?
I think not.
So, cheers, Geo, best to you and Norma.
Dear Mike, Your Baja hotel has a great deal to do with my post about old buildings, strong liquor and spinning rooms. Didn't have an Uncle Sam, except for the one on recruitment posters, and he always looked like he disapproved of me. But I had other relatives who behaved oddly at gatherings.
DeleteBest to you too, Mike!
Assuming you're the one who said "Sit down", you're a very wise young man, Geo.
ReplyDeleteMore than any claim to wisdom, I just try to be a good kid here in my 70's. Thanks for the compliment, dear Bruce.
Deleteso? did you say sit down?
ReplyDeleteDear Jackiesue, I probably did. VW Bug in the photo was a vehicle of great adventure. My friend Willie and I drove and camped out of that car all up and down California in summer of 1968. We remained friends ever afterward. He passed away 10 days ago --one of the best and wisest men I've ever known.
DeleteWouldn't it be awesome to have a room that actually did rotate in the house? You could always sit with the sun on your face or watch the sunrise and sunset from the same chair.
ReplyDeleteDear Juli, That WOULD be awesome! Nature itself thrives on planets that orbit and spin. Tremendous rotations of things in outer space are eternal. All we've got in response is the swivel chair. Is anybody working on this?
DeleteLMAO... sit down... wise advice when any rooms start spinning.
ReplyDeleteDear Bohemian, I'm sure it dates back to Eden when Eve tried to explain to Adam why "this damn garden goes from so light to so dark every day!" Not a Bible scholar but bet she just said "Sit down".
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